Hello -
There seems to be a lack of reviews from actual end users switching between iOS to Windows Phone 8. I have been frequenting the site ever since I started reviewing the WP8 platform and figured I would drop my two cents here. For some background, I work in business and rely on my iPad for note taking during meetings (outside of my laptop) and am a very heavy smartphone user.
I have been a Smartphone user for several years. My first step into owning a smartphone was a Palm IIIc (non-cell phone
). From there I purchased an old HTC that I cannot recall the name to, a Palm Treo 680, HTC Raphael, Palm Centro and then into the iPhones. My first iPhone was the 3GS and I fell in love. It seemed like the perfect mixture of phone and internet device. From the 3GS I went to the iPhone 4 and then the iPhone 4S. I was never a fan of Apple products. I grew up building gaming PCs and never connected with Apple products. My view really changed owning the iPhone. After the first iPhone, I purchased an iPad 1 and iPad 2 and am writing this review on a 2011 MacBook Pro. Owning the iPhones, I switched between jailbreaking and reverting in several cycles. I wanted to customize the phone a bit more to my use and make it a bit more unique. After jailbreaking, I would get sick of performance and background issues and revert back. I have been keeping my eye on Windows 8 over the last few months. I honestly can say I was never really interested in it. I couldn't understand how it would be functional with the way technology is currently working (standard workbench terminals). When the Surface RT came out I became really interested. I finally could see what Microsoft was attempting to do with their Operating System. Not the same old -- Touch screens would be the future of controlling the computer through screens. I am currently waiting for the Surface Pro to be released to purchase one.
During my research, I decided I wanted to try out the WP8 platform as my primary phone. Not having any connections to getting a unit to play with for sometime I decided to just go ahead and use my upgrade to purchase the phone. I had done a lot of research and played with the demo phones in the stores and came to really enjoy using the phones. I settled on the Nokia Lumia 920 for my first foray into the world of WP8 (leaving my iPhone 4S).
First Thoughts: The phone is big and the screen is vivid. I cannot articulate my thumb to push buttons on the opposite side of the phone when one-handing the phone. This isn't a major issue to me but definitely different than my iPhone. When I say big, I am not saying big in a bad way. The real estate of the screen, the feel of the phone; I really like it. The operating system is very different than what I am used to. It has taken several days to truly understand so I can easily move around it. I was able to easily set the phone up as I swept through screens but I did fumble around trying to find certain features.
I synced the BlueTooth to my car in the parking lot and began driving over to visit my wife for lunch. As I was driving, I felt the phone vibrate in my pocket for a text message. I saw the BlueTooth on my screen switch over and WP8 announced, "New Text Message. Would you like me to read or ignore?" I was shocked. The iPhone required intervention to get it to read text messages off to me. WP8 went ahead and prompted me. Later on, I found the setting to have this happen all the time, BT only, or BT and headset. Very nice feature. I then noticed the sound quality on BlueTooth music was much better than the iPhone and allowed for volume control on the phone and vehicle. I really enjoy the sound quality.
I love the home screen and live tiles. Every phone is the same but yet unique. You customize how it looks and feels. I think it is slick to launch apps, see quick updates, or slide to the next screen to see all of my apps. Installing and uninstalling as just as easy as the iPhone.
The Nokia camera apps are awesome. Great settings to compliment the KICK BUTT camera with a dedicated button.
I am currently on my free trial of the XBOX Music Pass and really enjoy it. I listen to a lot of music at work and in the car. The downloading and streaming sound great.
Overall, I am a very happy user. I really enjoy this phone and cannot wait to see where it goes. I am not regretting my switch at all.
Pros:
1. Phone size/shape/Screen
2. True LTE
3. Great BlueTooth Syncing & WP8 Assistant
4. Very, VERY quick.
5. Awesome camera.
Cons:
1. Obvious - App store does not have the Apple selection.
2. Not a fan of the Internet Explorer - I want Chrome (C'mon Google!)
3. Sometimes it takes a lot of swipes to get where I am going -- But it looks awesome when I swipe through the screens.
There seems to be a lack of reviews from actual end users switching between iOS to Windows Phone 8. I have been frequenting the site ever since I started reviewing the WP8 platform and figured I would drop my two cents here. For some background, I work in business and rely on my iPad for note taking during meetings (outside of my laptop) and am a very heavy smartphone user.
I have been a Smartphone user for several years. My first step into owning a smartphone was a Palm IIIc (non-cell phone
). From there I purchased an old HTC that I cannot recall the name to, a Palm Treo 680, HTC Raphael, Palm Centro and then into the iPhones. My first iPhone was the 3GS and I fell in love. It seemed like the perfect mixture of phone and internet device. From the 3GS I went to the iPhone 4 and then the iPhone 4S. I was never a fan of Apple products. I grew up building gaming PCs and never connected with Apple products. My view really changed owning the iPhone. After the first iPhone, I purchased an iPad 1 and iPad 2 and am writing this review on a 2011 MacBook Pro. Owning the iPhones, I switched between jailbreaking and reverting in several cycles. I wanted to customize the phone a bit more to my use and make it a bit more unique. After jailbreaking, I would get sick of performance and background issues and revert back. I have been keeping my eye on Windows 8 over the last few months. I honestly can say I was never really interested in it. I couldn't understand how it would be functional with the way technology is currently working (standard workbench terminals). When the Surface RT came out I became really interested. I finally could see what Microsoft was attempting to do with their Operating System. Not the same old -- Touch screens would be the future of controlling the computer through screens. I am currently waiting for the Surface Pro to be released to purchase one.During my research, I decided I wanted to try out the WP8 platform as my primary phone. Not having any connections to getting a unit to play with for sometime I decided to just go ahead and use my upgrade to purchase the phone. I had done a lot of research and played with the demo phones in the stores and came to really enjoy using the phones. I settled on the Nokia Lumia 920 for my first foray into the world of WP8 (leaving my iPhone 4S).
First Thoughts: The phone is big and the screen is vivid. I cannot articulate my thumb to push buttons on the opposite side of the phone when one-handing the phone. This isn't a major issue to me but definitely different than my iPhone. When I say big, I am not saying big in a bad way. The real estate of the screen, the feel of the phone; I really like it. The operating system is very different than what I am used to. It has taken several days to truly understand so I can easily move around it. I was able to easily set the phone up as I swept through screens but I did fumble around trying to find certain features.
I synced the BlueTooth to my car in the parking lot and began driving over to visit my wife for lunch. As I was driving, I felt the phone vibrate in my pocket for a text message. I saw the BlueTooth on my screen switch over and WP8 announced, "New Text Message. Would you like me to read or ignore?" I was shocked. The iPhone required intervention to get it to read text messages off to me. WP8 went ahead and prompted me. Later on, I found the setting to have this happen all the time, BT only, or BT and headset. Very nice feature. I then noticed the sound quality on BlueTooth music was much better than the iPhone and allowed for volume control on the phone and vehicle. I really enjoy the sound quality.
I love the home screen and live tiles. Every phone is the same but yet unique. You customize how it looks and feels. I think it is slick to launch apps, see quick updates, or slide to the next screen to see all of my apps. Installing and uninstalling as just as easy as the iPhone.
The Nokia camera apps are awesome. Great settings to compliment the KICK BUTT camera with a dedicated button.
I am currently on my free trial of the XBOX Music Pass and really enjoy it. I listen to a lot of music at work and in the car. The downloading and streaming sound great.
Overall, I am a very happy user. I really enjoy this phone and cannot wait to see where it goes. I am not regretting my switch at all.
Pros:
1. Phone size/shape/Screen
2. True LTE
3. Great BlueTooth Syncing & WP8 Assistant
4. Very, VERY quick.
5. Awesome camera.
Cons:
1. Obvious - App store does not have the Apple selection.
2. Not a fan of the Internet Explorer - I want Chrome (C'mon Google!)
3. Sometimes it takes a lot of swipes to get where I am going -- But it looks awesome when I swipe through the screens.
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